Container support for railway flatcars



NOV- 1967 E. MOWATT-LARSSEN 3,

CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR RAILWAY FLATCARS Filed Jan. 17, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 r r J I INVENTOR Fla 3. ERLING MOWATT-LARSSEN ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1967 E. MOWATT-LARSSEN 3,354,838

CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR RAILWAY FLATCARS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 17, 1966 I (III [III FIG. 5.

all! li INVIENTOR ERLING MOWATT LARSSEN ATTORNEY 1957 E. MOWATT-LARSSEN 3,354,838

CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR RAILWAY FLATCARS 4 Sheets-$heet 4 Filed Jan. 17, 1966 INVENTOR ERLING MOWATT-LARSSEN United States Patent 3,354,838 CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR RAILWAY FLATCARS Erling Mowatt-Larssen, Hazel Crest, Ill., assignor to ACE Industries, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 521,140 8 Claims. (Cl. 105-366) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container support to support the lower corner of a container on a railway fiatcar. The support is mounted on a side sill for pivotal movement beneath the deck to an inoperable position, and catch means beneath the deck releasably retains the corner support in a stored position. An upper portion of the container support is mounted on a shear pad to permit a cushioned movement of a cont'iiliner upon buff and draft forces being exerted against t e car.

Background and description of the invention Containers transported on railway fiatcars may be supported on a separate support beneath each lower corner of the container with each support being separately mounted on the railway fiatcar. The container may be suitably secured to the support by a removable pin connection or the like. The present invention is directed to a container support or pedestal movable between an operable posimom on the deck of the railway fiatcar and an inoperable or stored position beneath the deck of the car. Such an arrangement permits the deck to be clear in the event the container supports are not employed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container support for supporting the lower corner of a container on the deck of a railway fiatcar movable between an operable position on the deck of the fiatcar and an inoperable position beneath the deck.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide such a container support which cushions the container upon impact forces exerted against the railway car thereby to absorb such impact forces.

Another object of this invention is the provision of such a container support which may pivot by gravity into a releasably retained inoperable position beneath the deck of the railway car after the support has been initially pivoted from the deck past a dead center position.

Briefly described, the present invention comprises a lower base support on the deck of a railway car mounted for pivotal movement between an operable position on the deck of the car and an inoperable position beneath the deck of the car, a releasable catch adapted to engage and hold automatically the base in stored position beneath the deck of the car when the base pivots by gravity beneath the deck, an upper container support carried by the lower base support on which a container or the like is adapted to be supported, the upper container support being mounted on the base support for cushioned movement in a direction longitudinally of the railway car upon the exertion of buff and draft forces against the railway car, and means on the upper container support to releasably secure the container thereon for transit.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated;

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a railway fiatcar carrying two containers mounted on container corner support structures comprising the present invention;

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FIGURE 2 is a top plan of the railway fiatcar shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged top plan of one of the corner support structures shown in FIGURES l and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the container support structure shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 55 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is an end elevation of the container support of FIGURES 3-5 showing the support structure in an inoperable position beneath the deck of the railway car, the broken line indication showing the support structure past a dead center position and swinging by gravity to an inoperable position beneath the deck.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of the invention, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, a railway fiatcar is indicated generally by the numeral 10 and has a pair of containers C mounted thereon for transit. Flatcar 10 has a deck or floor plate 12 and a box-shaped side sill 14 is secured beneath each side of deck plate 12 extending the length of the car thereby to form a flush deck surface. Additional stringers 16 extend the length of the car for reinforcing the underframe forming fiatcar 10.

Beneath each corner of each container C is a corner support structure generally indicated 17 and forming this invention. For purposes of illustration, only one corner support 17 is shown in FIGURES 3-6 as it is understood that each corner support is generally identical. Secured to the underside of side sill 14 for each corner support 17 are parallel extensions 18. Pivotally mounted on a shaft 20 extending between extensions 18 is corner support structure 17 adapted to support and secure a corner of container C. Each support structure 17 includes a base support 24 having an integral arm 26 overhanging side sill 14 and mounted about shaft 20 for pivotal movement. Side flanges 27 extend upwardly along each side of base support 24 and have inwardly extending end portions 28 as shown in FIGURE 5. A stop 29 is secured to the adjacent side sill 14 adjacent each side of arm 26 and acts to restrain movement of arm 26 in the operable position of support structure 17.

To secure support structure 17 to deck plate 12, lock ing pins 30 are mounted on lugs 32 projecting from the inner side of base support 24 and forming an integral part thereof. To permit pins 30 to move vertically, upper pm supports 36 integral with base support 24 having openings 38 aligned with openings 34 of lugs 32 to receive pins 30. To rotate pins 39, a handle 40 is provided on each pin 30 and is integrally connected to a collar 42 about each pin 30. To bias pins 30 upwardly, a compression spring 44 fits between each collar 42 and its associated lug 32. Projecting from the sides of pins 30 adjacent the lower ends thereof are oppositely facing locking lugs 46. As noted in FIGURE 6, openings 34 in lugs 32 are enlarged adjacent the lower ends thereof to receive locking lugs 46. Deck plate 12 has an elongate slot 48 beneath each pin 39 with the elongation extending transversely of car 10 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5. To secure base support 24 to deck plate 12, each pin 30 is pushed downwardly by manual force exerted on handle 40 thereby to push lugs 46 through the subjacent elongate opening 48. Handles 40 are then rotated to move lugs 46 beneath deck 12 in a locked position. The broken line indication of handles 44) in FIGURE 3 illustrates the unlocked position of pins 30. Upon release of handles 40 after rotation, springs 44 urge pins 30 and lugs 46 upwardly into engagement with the underside of deck 12. Pins 30 aid in transmitting forces to deck plate 12 from support structure 17 upon impact forces being exerted against car 10..

Secured tobase support 24 is a Cushioning unit generally designated 50. Cushioning unit 50 is of the type to absorb imp-act forces from a shearing action and may be formed, for example, of a preformed molded unit comprising a plurality of horizontal metal plates 52 separated by resilient blocks or pads 54, such as, for example, rubber. A specific example of a preformed molded rubber shear pad which has been found to be satisfactory is sold under the trade name LORD by Lord Manufacturing Company, Erie, Pa., and has a length of around fifteen (15) inches, a height of around four (4) inches, and a width of around five and one-half /2) inches.

The lower horizontal plate 52 of cushioning unit 50 is secured to base support 24 by bolt 56. An upper container support 58 is secured by nuts 60 to bolts 62 integrally formed with the upper horizontal plate 52 of resilient cushioning unit 50. Container support 53 is generally hatshaped with outwardly projecting lower flanges 59 fitting beneath flanges 28 on base support 24. Support 58 is spaced from base support 24 a distance of around onehalf /2) inch so as to provide a vertical cushioning for container C. Projecting from container support 58 intermediate its length is a locking stud 64 having an opening 66 therethrough. Stud 64 is adapted to fit within an opening of corner fitting 68 of container C as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. Container fitting 68 has side openings .70 aligned with opening 66 to receive a securing pin 72.

Rotation of securing pin 72 moves a retaining lug 78 thereon to a downward position thereby to prevent removal of pin 72 until lug 73 is disengaged. Spring clips 80 as shown in FIGURE 3 may be provided to hold pin 72 when the pin is not being employed.

Upon impact forces exerted upon car 10, container C will have a tendency to move relative to car and forces will be transmitted from the container to stud 64. Stud 64 has a cushioned movement relative to base support 24 as great as around eight (8) inches employing a cushioning unit 50 of the aforementioned dimensions. The weight of container C on shear pad 50 results in an increased stiffness in pads 54 thereby to provide an increased cushioning action.

When it is desired to employ flatcar 10 for purposes other than the transport of containers, such as, for example, the transport of trailers, container support structures 17 may be pivoted to an inoperable position beneath the deck of car 10. To release a support structure 17 from deck plate 12, handles 40 are first rotated 90 with lugs 46 clearing deck 12 and springs 44 biasing pins 30 upwardly. Then, support structure 17 may be manually pivoted about shaft to the broken line indication of FIGURE 6 and then released. The weight of support structure 17 causes it to pivot by gravity beneath a deck plate 12 and to be retained automatically without any manual locking being required. To stop the pivotal movement of support structure 17, a rubber block 83 is secured to plates 86.

To releasably retain support structure 17 in position, a catch 82 is pivoted on shaft 84 supported from plates 86 secured to the underside of deck plate 12. Catch 82 has a hook 88 extending outwardly of car 10 with a beveled edge 90. A pin 92 is secured to catch 82 and extends through a suitable opening 94 in a connecting plate 96 secured between plates 86. A suitable nut 98 retains pin 92 on plate 96. A compression spring 100 biased between plate 96 and catch 82 continuously biases catch 82 outwardly. A lever 102 has one end 104 fitting about pin 92 between nut '98 and plate 96 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Lever 102 is supported intermediate its length by extension 108 having an opening 109 receiving lever 102 and acting as a fulcrum for lever 102. The other end 110 of lever 102 has an eye connected to an eye on a push rod 112 for actuation thereby. Push rod 112 is supported by arm 114 secured to car 10 and has a handle 116 for gripping.

To secure support 17 as shown in FIGURE ,6, pivotal; movement of support 17 by gravity eifects contact of beveled edge of hook 88 by stud 64 to urge catch $2 rearwardly against the bias of spring 100. When stud 64 clears edge 90, spring returns hook 88 to supporting engagement with the underside of stud 64 thereby releasably to retain support structure 17 in position as shown in FIGURE 6.

To release support structure 17 for pivotal movement onto deck plate 12, pull rod 112 is pulled outwardly to pivot lever 102 about its fulcrum at extension 108 thereby to move pin 92 and catch 82 rearwardly for releasing stud 64. Upon release of stud 64, support structure 17 may be pivoted manually onto deck plate 12.

From the foregoing, it is understood that the present invention provides a container support movable between an operable position on the deck of a flatcar and an inoperable position beneath the deck of the car, thereby to permit a flush deck surface for purposes other than the transport of containers. The container support may, when moved past a dead center position, pivot by gravity into an inoperable position beneath the deck of the railway car.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A railway flatcar for carrying a container comprising a side sill extending longitudinally along each side of the railway car, a deck, and a separate container support structure for each lower corner of the container, each container support structure comprising a lower base support mount-- ed adjacent a side sill for pivotal movement between an operable position on the deck and an inoperable position stored beneath the deck and adjacent side sill, means on said lower base support to releasably secure the lower base support in operable position onto the deck, an upper container support mounted on the lower base support and adapted to engage and secure the lower corner of a conta ner, and cushioning means between the upper contamer support and the lower base support permitting a cushioned movement of the upper container support longitudinally of the car upon the exertion of buff and draft forces against the car, said cushioning means comprising? a resilient shear pad and said upper support comprising agenerally channel-shaped member fitting over said shear pad and having lower outwardly extending flanges, said lower base support having upper inwardly extending flanges superjacent said outwardly extending flanges to restrain upward movement of said upper support upon impact forces being exerted against the railway car.

2. A railway flatcar as set forth in claim 1 wherein a catch is plvotally mounted beneath the deck of the railway car and has an outwardly projecting hook portion positioned generally intermediate the length of said support structure, means to bias the catch outwardly, and a cooperating catch portion is mounted on said support structure to engage said hook portion for releasably holding the support structure in a stored position beneath the deck of the railway car, said support structure after lnitially being moved past a dead center position swinging by gravity beneath the deck of the railway car with said cooperating catch portion engaging and moving said catch inwardly to swing past the hook portion whereby said hook portion is biased outwardly to engage said catch portion for retaining said support structure in a stored position.

3. A railway car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cushioning means comprises a resilient shear pad positioned between the lower base support and the uppercom tainer support, the lower base support being secured to the lower surface of said shear pad and the upper support being secured to the upper surface of said shear pad whereby relative longitudinal movement is permitted between said lower base support and said upper container support.

4. A railway car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lower base support in its operative position 011 the deck has at least one projection adjacent its inner side extending in a generally vertical direction, and said deck has an opening therethrough to receive said projection whereby forces may be transmitted between the projection and adjacent deck.

5. A railway car as set forth in claim 4 wherein said projection comprises a rotatable locking pin having an outwardly extending lug adjacent its lower end whereby rotation of said pin when said lug is fitted beneath the deck moves the lug beneath the deck to engage the lower surface thereof for holding the support structure on the deck.

6. A railway fiatcar for carrying a container, comprising a deck, a side sill extending longitudinally along each side of the railway car, and a separate container support structure for supporting and securing each lower corner of the container, each container support structure being mounted adjacent a side sill for pivotal movement between an operable position on the deck and an inoperable position stored beneath the deck and adjacent side sill, means on said support structure to releasably secure the support structure in operable position onto the deck, a catch pivotally mounted beneath the deck of the railway car and having an outwardly projecting hook portion positioned generally intermediate the length of the container support structure, means to bias the catch outwardly, and a cooperating catch portion mounted on said support structure to engage said hook portion for releasably holding the support structure in a stored position beneath the deck of the railway car, said support structure after initially being moved past a dead center position swinging by gravity beneath the deck of the railway car with said 00- operating catch portion engaging and moving said catch inwardly to swing past the hook portion whereby said hook portion is biased outwardly to snap into engagement with said catch portion for retaining the support structure in a stored position.

7. A railway car as set forth in claim 6 wherein said support structure in its operative position on the deck has at least one projection adjacent its inner side extending in a generally vertical direction, and said deck has an opening therethrough to receive said projection whereby forces may be transmitted between the projection and adjacent deck.

8. A railway car as set forth in claim 7 wherein said projection comprises a rotatable locking pin having an outturned lug adjacent its lower end whereby rotation of said pin when said lug is fitted beneath the deck moves the lug beneath the deck to engage the lower surface thereof for holding the support structure on the deck.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,047,954 7/1936 Fitch -366 2,071,355 2/1937 Norbom 105366 3,179,067 4/1965 Beck et al 105368 3,296,981 1/1967 Bergstrand 105-366 3,307,496 3/1967 Sweger 105-366 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Examiner. 

1. A RAILWAYS FLATCAR FOR CARRYING A CONTAINER COMPRISING A SIDE SILL EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG EACH SIDE OF THE RAILWAY CAR, A DECK, AND A SEPARATE CONTAINER SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF EACH LOWER CORNER OF THE CONTAINER, EACH CONTAINER SUPPORT STRUCTURE COMPRISING A LOWER BASE SUPPORT MOUNTED ADJACENT A SIDE SILL FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN OPERABLE POSITION ON THE DECK AND AN INOPERABLE POSITION STORED BENEATH THE DECK AND ADJACENT SIDE SILL, MEANS ON SAID LOWER BASE SUPPORT TO RELEASALY SECURE THE LOWERBASE SUPPORT IN OPERABLE POSITION ONTO THE DECK, AN UPPER CONTAINER SUPPORT MOUNTED ON THE LOWER BASE SUPPORT AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND SECURE THE LOWER CORNER OF A CONTAINER, AND CUSHIONING MEANS BETWEEN THE UPPER CONTAINER SUPPORT AND THE LOWER BASE SUPPORT PERMITTING LONGICUSHIONED MOVEMENT OF THE UPPER CONTAINER SUPPORT LONGITUDINALLY OF THE CAR UPON THE EXERTION OF BUFF AND DRAFT FORCES AGAINST THE CAR, SAID CUSHIONING MEANS COMPRISING A RESILIENT SHEAR PAD AND SAID UPPER SUPPORT COMPRISING A GENERALLY CHANNEL-SHAPED MEMBER FITTING OVER SAID SHEAR PAD AND HAVING SUPPORT LOWER OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGES, SAID LOWER BASE SUPPORT HAVING UPPER INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGES SUPERJACENT SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGES TO RESTRAIN UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID UPPER SUPPORT UPON IMPACT FORCES EXERTED AGAINST THE RAILWAY CAR. 